Above-Plate Coolant Containment System for Milling Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cutting and milling machines lack an effective method to contain and recycle coolant during machining operations, leading to minimized coolant usage, reduced machining speed and tool life, and increased costs due to excessive tool and filter usage.
Innovation Solution
A coolant containment and recovery system with a sliding seal, clamping means, and vertically movable coolant guard apparatus that separates coolant from fume extraction, allowing for recycling and reuse of coolant through ducting and storage systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coolant is used during machining operations, then cooling and lubrication of machining tools is improved, but coolant containment and recovery becomes difficult requiring substantial guards and guttering
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant containment system is segmented into multiple functional components: a coolant guard apparatus that forms a containment area around the workpiece, ducting sections that collect coolant from specific zones, and a recovery system that processes and recycles coolant. This segmentation allows effective coolant containment without requiring substantial guards and guttering throughout the entire machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts coolant from the machining area through strategically positioned ducting sections that draw coolant away from the workpiece and machining tools. This extraction system separates coolant collection from the general containment structure, enabling efficient coolant management with reduced structural requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fume extraction system is used to remove cutting fumes, then air quality is improved, but coolant contamination of filters occurs when coolant falls through cuts or off plate edges
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts coolant from the machining area through dedicated ducting sections positioned to collect coolant before it can escape the containment area. By extracting coolant locally at the source, the system prevents coolant from reaching the fume extraction filters, thereby avoiding filter contamination while maintaining effective fume removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant guard apparatus and ducting sections act as an intermediary system between the machining area and the fume extraction system. This intermediary structure captures and removes coolant through dedicated pathways, preventing direct contact between coolant and the fume extraction filters, thus protecting the filters from contamination.
3Ease of manufacture
If coolant usage is minimized to protect filters, then filter maintenance costs are reduced, but machining speed and tool life are reduced due to insufficient cooling and lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a coolant recovery system that collects used coolant through ducting sections, separates it from chips and contaminants, and recycles it back for reuse. This recovery process eliminates the need to minimize coolant usage, allowing full coolant flow for optimal cooling and lubrication while protecting filters from contamination through the dedicated recovery pathway.
4Reliability
If substantial guards and guttering are installed to contain coolant, then coolant containment is improved, but machine complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant containment system is divided into modular components: a coolant guard apparatus that creates a localized containment area, discrete ducting sections positioned at strategic locations, and a centralized recovery system. This segmentation replaces the need for extensive continuous guards and guttering with targeted, localized containment elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant guard apparatus is designed to be vertically movable, allowing dynamic adjustment of the containment area height based on workpiece size and machining requirements. This dynamic capability provides effective coolant containment for various operations without requiring a fixed, complex structural framework.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient containment and recycling of coolant, reducing coolant usage, minimizing contamination, and extending tool life while reducing costs and improving machining efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding seal fitted between the lower ducting section and the upper ducting section
Implementation Method 2
The fume extraction is located under the plate being processed such that the air below the plate is extracted complete with the fumes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An above plate coolant containment and recovery system is designed to contain the use of machining coolant during machining operations. The system includes a coolant guard apparatus and waste removal means. The coolant guard apparatus is shaped and positioned to contain and separate coolant fluid as used during wet cutting machining to provide a dry cutting environment beyond the coolant guard apparatus. The coolant guard apparatus includes at least one shaped containment area formed with a substantially upright perimeter wall which in use is located on top of the plate to be cut to form the contained area whereby the waste removal means which is fluidly connected to the coolant guard apparatus, causes the removal of the used coolant and machining solid waste without leaking beyond the containment area cutting or milling machine with the above plate coolant containment and recovery system is also included.